Western Sydney Wanderers 4-1 Newcastle Jets
By Kieran Yap 15/2/25
Above: Ena Harada celebrates after putting Wanderers 2-1 up. Photo: Western Sydney Wanderers
Despite going behind early, the Western Sydney Wanderers have started off the round with a 4-1 win against the Newcastle Jets.
Things could have started off better for the home side. Young defender Ella Buchanan looked to have suffered an injury in the opening minutes, but to the relief of the stadium and staff, she was able to jog it off.
The evening got even tougher in the seventh minute when Tash Prior opened to scoring for the visitors. The Matildas defender reacted quickest to turn in the rebound following Cass Davis’s excellent volley on goal.
Following their goal, the Jets looked confident and fast, if not sharp. They pressure The Wanderers and moved the ball quickly. However, despite brief dominance, they struggled to create many more chances on goal. Libby Copus-Brown had an opportunity to double the lead, but her close range header flew over the bar.
Olivia Price’s darting run into the box, had the Jets defence backpedalling and lunging. Although the eventual shot was blocked, it was the first sign of life from the home team’s attack and signalled a shift in momentum.
Young striker Bronte Trew levelled the scores with a terrific individual goal. After racing onto a Danika Matos pass, Trew found her favoured angle and fired across Danielle Krzyzaniak to level the scores. It was the 22 year-olds first A-League Goal and she had scored in some style with power and precision.
An Ena Harada rocket from 20 yards gave the Wanderers the lead in the 39th minute and by half time, Western Sydney had the upper hand not just on the scoreboard but in general play.
Amy Chessari’s influence grew throughout the game and she moved the ball quickly from defence to attack. Sienna Saveska was busy and creative, while Trew and Cushla Rue’s pace was starting to cause problems.
The scores would remain at 2-1 until the 74th minute when Amy Harrison added a third from the penalty spot. Libby Copus-Brown was judged to have fouled Trew in the area, and although contact looked minimal, the referee signally for a spot kick.
Holly Caspers scored a fourth for the home side in the dying stages of the game. She took advantage of more laxed Jets defending to poke home from close range. It was the playmaker’s second of the season since her return from injury.
It feels a strange thing to say, but on the surface, Newcastle were beaten for pace around the ground. The Jets are no slouches themselves, but Western Sydney looked faster or at least more aggressive. It was something that especially stood out in a game of hurried passes and loose balls to be won.
Although they are always fun to watch, The Jets are now five games without a win and second from the bottom. Western Sydney, despite a frustrating season, have climbed to 11th and are still not mathematically out of finals contention.
They have excellent wingers who can create space and deliver pinpoint crosses, but are lacking enough players who can make the most of those balls into the area. Emma Dundas saw her header crash off the woodwork when the game was still salvageable, but they need more players attacking those type of balls.
Next up for the Wanderers is a slightly sterner test. They travel to face The Central Coast mariners who are undefeated in their last five games.
The Jets will host Perth Glory in Round 17 as they look to reverse their struggling form.
Teams: WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS (4-3-3): Khamis, McComanksy, Harrison, Buchanan, Matos, Harada, Price, Chessari, Rue, Trew, Saveska. Substitutes: Bennett, Kapetanellis, Younis, Caspers, Segavcic.
Scorers: Trew 28’, Harada 39’, Harrison 74’, Caspers 88’.
NEWCASTLE JETS (3-4-3): Krzyzaniak, Cicco, Prior, Baumann, Copus-Brown, Davis, Dundas, Adams, J. Allan, Gallagher, Breier. Substitutes: Wilson, L Allan, Hoban Gooch, Robertson.
Scorer: Prior 7’
Referee: Kelly Jones
Attendance: 925.
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